A MAN has appeared before court to face a charge of manslaughter following the death of a Sunday League footballer he allegedly attacked.

Sam Houghton, 25, of Manor Farm, Back Lane, Higher Whitley, appeared before Chester Crown Court accused of the manslaughter of David Roper.

Mr Houghton had previously appeared before the court charged with grievous bodily harm against 26-year-old Mr Roper, but after a period in intensive care, he died at Walton Hospital on March 9 and the charge was changed to manslaughter. He has yet to enter a plea to the charge.

The alleged incident is believed to have taken place on a country lane in Antrobus on February 28.

Police were called to Mr Roper's address in Runcorn the next day and he was taken to Warrington Hospital with head injuries before being transferred to Walton. It is under-stood he was on a life support machine for more than a week, before his family took the heartbreaking decision to turn it off.

Mr Roper was a player for Broadhurst's Sunday League outfit based at Rud-heath, and his death has stunned teammates. They said he was a 'likeable, jovial lad'.

The case has been adjourned to May 24, with Houghton on conditional bail. His father has put up a £25,000 surety.